Partner
U3A Reykjavik, University of the Third Age, is an association of people over-50s who want to continue learning and sharing their knowledge with others. Founded in 2012, it was the first U3A (University of the Third Age) association in Iceland, U3A Sudurnes, founded in 2016, being the second. It belongs to an international movement of Universities of the Third Age by being a member of AIUTA (International Association of Universities of the Third Age). This movement, based on lifelong learning, has shown its importance for improving older adults’ quality of life. All this is achieved by providing education and promoting active aging.
U3A Reykjavik activities are carried out through lectures or seminars given by members or guest speakers, and also through courses, groups which deal with topics chosen by the members themselves and through study trips. No requirements are needed to participate in the activities. At the U3A Reykjavik, members can improve the quality of their "third age" through learning, communicating and exchanging points of view in a pleasant social environment with people with whom they share interests while acquiring new friends and establishing bonds both in Iceland and abroad. January 2019, the association counts around 600 members aged from 50 to 90, the average age being around 70. Among its members one can find an incredible resources of experience in very diverse fields and occupations.
U3A Reykjavik was the promoter and one of the partners in the Erasmus+ supported “BALL" (Be Active through Lifelong Learning) project which was successfully concluded in 2016 after the presentation of the guidelines and recommendations on how to prepare well for the arrival of the third age. The book Towards a Dynamic Third Age, with guidelines and recommendations, has been widely disseminated around the world with great recognition. The BALL project received the Erasmus+ quality award in Iceland in November 2017. The "Catch the BALL" project, also supported by Erasmus+ program, followed up by further developing and implementing the most important recommendations of BALL. This project was concluded in mid 2018 among other with the opening of the web portal "Warehouse of Opportunities for the Third Age". The development of the Warehouse was led by U3A Reykjavik who has taken on the operation of the Icelandic and the European Warehouse versions. The Warehouse was praised especially by the international committee evaluating the project.
U3A Reykjavik has established extensive and important connections throughout the world, as well as close links with various associations, companies and interested institutions responsible for providing its members with new opportunities allowing them to have an active and pleasant "third age". One of the most important connections is the Pass-it-on Network.
U3A Reykjavik has been able to provide a new and alternative forum in Iceland for people approaching or experiencing the "third age" and who want to keep a stimulating and active life by learning. Since its creation in 2012, this non profit association has successfully organized seminars, conferences and study groups. The contact with relevant people within the field of preparation for retirement provides knowledge and experience. This guarantees the necessary resource base to complement the solid practical knowledge and experience available within the association. Among the professionals belonging to the association we can find social workers, psychologists and experts in human resources. All of them have a broad experience in issues related to third age.
Icelandic cultural heritage has been a frequent topic in the U3A Reykjavik activities carried out through lectures, study trips and tours, which have made it possible to show this country’s multi-faceted history since the first settlements and the Middle Ages to more recent times. The links/connections that other countries have with the Icelandic heritage have also been dealt with within this topic. To which must be added some studies and lectures on Reykjavik and its archaeological sites.
This shows that U3A Reykjavik has actively promoted the knowledge and value of cultural heritage on its third age agenda.